//------------------------------//
// Holes and Secrets 
// Story: Skrrriiitchhhh! 
// by Mister E 
//------------------------------//

Things settled down somewhat after Fluttershy left. Applejack had reluctantly agreed that letting Winona go with her was the best thing to do. The family went inside and got cleaned up for dinner, as Granny set the table.

Dinner conversation was subdued. There was the usual small talk. What went on at school, what Applejack and Mac did that day, and whatever gossip Granny had picked up. It was amazing how the eldest Apple was able to accumulate so much gossip considering how rarely she went to town. Yet she always seemed to be caught up on current events.

“I heard Filthy Rich made it to Canterlot.” She was saying. “Apparently he was none too happy that he couldn’t find hide nor hair of his new ‘business partners’.” She said, a knowing grin on her muzzle. “As far as that goes, I wouldn’t be surprised if the two of them weren’t sunning themselves on some beach in Jamareca by now.”

“Now Granny, how in Equestria could you possibly know that?” Applejack asked skeptically.

“Oh, I have my ways. My old earth pony farmin ways. My dark witchy ways,” she said with a sly wink toward Apple Bloom.

“Ponyfeathers.” Applejack stated before taking a pull of cider. “Granny you been spoutin that same nonsense ever since I was a little filly.”

“Nonsense is it?” Granny said, shakingly rising to her hooves. “Tell me it’s nonsense the next time you’re eating zap apple jam. Tell me it’s nonsense the next time you need a poultice ta cure you of the timberwolf trots. Heh, tell me it’s nonsense the next time I tell you there’s a storm comin, and the bottom drops out of the sky.”

“Granny all those things have a perfectly good explanation for them. There ain’t nothin witchy about ‘em.” Applejack states stubbornly.  

Both Big Mac and Apple Bloom had heard this argument more than a dozen times before. Without a word they began to clear away the dishes, all the while the two stubborn Apples continued to bicker. About the time they had finished the dishes, both Granny and Applejack had begun to wind down. They had done this so many times by now their internal clocks told them when to stop and get ready for bed. Mac and Apple Bloom shared a look, both rolling their eyes at how stubborn ponies in this family could be before making their way upstairs to was up.

Finishing early had it’s merits, as there was plenty of hot water for both her and her brother, and Applebloom said her good nights to her sister and her Granny as she passed them in the hall.

“Oh sweet Celestia,” Apple Bloom muttered to herself, “please let me get just one good night’s sleep.”

For once, it seemed that Apple Bloom may have gotten her wish. She had gotten settled in and said her prayers, with nary a scritch or scratch. She cautiously had lain back, silently waiting for her nightly alarm call to occur, but all seemed quiet and calm. She wanted to say awake a little longer, just to be sure, but lack of sleep the previous nights caused exhaustion to quickly claim her, and she drifted off to a soundless sleep.

“Skrrrrrrrrritch!”

Apple Bloom was instantly awake.

“Aww ponyfeathers.” She mumbled, too tired to be more startled. The clock beside her bed read 1:00am

“Skrrrrrrrrritch!”

“By the Sky Stallion, just shut up!” Apple Bloom said to the empty room.

“Skrrrrrrrrriaatch!”  

The sound had changed. This was new.

“Skrrrrrrrrraaaatch!”

Well, at least there was some variety. Now if it would just scratch out a lullaby of some sort.

“Skrrrrrrrrraaaapplebloom!”

“HAAAHHHH!” Apple Bloom yelled, sitting bolt upright in bed. “AHHHHH! AHHHHH! AAAAAHHHHHH!” she screamed until her brother and her sister came bursting into the room.

“Oh my gosh, what is it? What’s wrong!” Applejack said, swiftly covering the distance to her bed and drawing her into a tight hug.

“The...the… the scratching noise!” Apple Bloom forced out between gasps of breath.

“It’s still there?” Applejack asked worriedly.

“It… it changed.” Apple Bloom said, her voice trembling.

“Changed? What do you mean?” Aj asked.

“First it was like normal, just scritch, scritch. The is changed and was like scratch, scratch. B-but that last time…” Apple Bloom pauses as a shudder passes through her. Forcing herself to continue she says, “That last time it went… it went… scrrrrraaaapplebloom!” She stops again, fighting back tears. “It said my name Applejack, IT SAID MY NAME!”

Applejack looked to Big Mac, a concerned expression on her face. Without a word Mac methodically began stalking around the room. He checked under the bed, in the closet, and looked out the window, studying everything outside.

“What about it Mac, did you see anything?” Applejack asked, still clutching her terrified sister to her chest.

“Eenope,” Big Mac replied, before coming to sit down beside them.

“C’mon lil sis,” Applejack said, cradling her sister in her arms. You’re sleeping with me tonight.” She gestured to Mac to bring her pillows and covers, and AJ carried Apple Bloom back to her own room.  

After seeing that the sisters was comfortable and settled. Big Mac went down stairs and brought up two of the dining room chairs. He went to the door of Apple Bloom’s new room and firmly wedged one of the chairs under the door knob. After he was satisfied that even he couldn’t budge it without breaking the chair, he made his way back to his sister’s room and quietly peeked inside. Both of his sister’s were huddled together on Applejack’s bed, and had fallen into an exhausted sleep.

Big Mac then closed the door and sat the other chair directly in front of it. Then he sat himself down on it and stared intently at the other door and the chair wedged under the knob. He strained his ears, trying to hear even the faintest of scratching sounds, but he was met with only silence.

The following morning found Mac still sitting guard on his chair. Granny, as usual was the first one up. As she exited her room she saw Mac sitting in front of Applejack’s room, leaning back on his chair fast asleep.

“Big Macintosh, what in tarnation are you a doin!” Granny said, startling Mac, and causing him to crash to the floor.

The sounds of all this commotion caused Applejack to come out the door in a hurry.

“What is it? Has something come outta Apple Bloom’s room?” She asked, her head darting around as she gazed out into the hallway.

“Land sakes! What is wrong with you youngins today?” Granny asked in confusion.

“Oh, uh sorry Granny,”Applejack said, as Mac picked himself up off of the floor. “But you see Apple Bloom heard that noise again last night and she got real scared. She said she heard it callin her name. So we come and took her back to my room. Mac’s just been sort of keeping watch for us.”

“Oh for Celestia’s sake!” Granny exclaimed. “I can’t believe she got you too making such a fuss over some scratching noises. Why, between critters and tree limbs, and stuff getting blowed onto the roof, it’s a wonder that you can hear yourself talk in here. But that ain’t no reason ta go makin some big fuss over it.”

“But Granny, she said it called out her name.” Applejack countered.

“Ponyfeathers!” Granny said flatly. “More likely she was dreaming it, and she woke herself up. You both know what’s REALLY going on here, you just won’t admit it. She just got her own room for the first time, and she’s got the night frights because she’s sleepin alone. You both know I’m right, you both did the very same thing. Heck I’m surprised Applejack hasn’t been doing it all over again, seein how she never was cured of it before Apple Bloom came along.”

“Hey now! Wait just an apple buckin minute Granny.” Applejack said indignantly. “You know darn well, I ain’t had no problems takin care of myself ever since...” Here she paused, but then forced herself to go on. “Ever since what happened with mom.” She concluded.

“Yeah well,” Granny conceded as she calmed down somewhat. “It’s true since then you’ve grown into a fine young mare. But darlin, if you want Apple Bloom to do the same, you can’t be coddlin her like this. Shut in her room with her sister, while her brother guards the door. It’s like you were under siege. Can’t you see how doin stuff like this is only gonna make her take it MORE seriously?”

Applejack and Big Mac share a glance.

“Well, maybe… maybe we did kinda get caught up in things last night.” Applejack admits.

“Eeyup,” Mac confirms.

“She just seemed so scared, I guess it never occurred to us that maybe she just dreamed it all up.” Applejack says rubbing her muzzle with her hoof, thinking things through.

“But I didn’t!” Apple Bloom yells, throwing open the door. “I heard it! I heard it say my name! You can’t think I would lie about that!” She says, looking up at her sister, her eyes searching for some sign of agreement.

“Now, Now, calm down youngin,” Granny says, stroking Apple Bloom’s mane. “Ain’t nobody said we don’t believe you heard something. But can you really be for sure that you weren’t dreaming? Ain’t it possible that you might have been asleep, and dreamed it woke you up, with it’s scritchin? Then when you thought it said your name, then it woke you up for real like?” Granny asks.

“Well… but, but I...” Apple Bloom starts and stops. “I-is it possible? Could it really have just been a dream? But I could SWEAR it happened.”

“There now child.” Granny said soothingly. “Dreams are like that. Why one time I dreamed I won the Miss Ponyville Beauty Pageant… while I was wearing ball gown made outta peanut butter and marmalade jam. Course the dream got even better when I got ta dance with the most eligible bachelor in Ponyville. He was wearing a three piece suit made out of toast.” Granny said, her cheeks going red.

“Three piece suit, or three pieces of toast?” Applejack couldn’t help but ask.

“First one, then the other,” Granny fires back with a cackle, cause all three of the siblings to blush and try to shake the image free from their minds.

“Eww,” they all said in unison.

“Aww, ya’ll hush up and go get ready for breakfast.” Granny snaps at them.

“Yes Granny,” they all reply.

Before she goes downstairs, she can’t resist turning back and adding, “and go ahead an decide what kind of jam you all want, ‘cause suddenly I have me a craving for toast!”  

“Granny!” Applejack calls after her in vain. Before shaking her head. “Well, are you feelin any better now?” She asks Apple Bloom.

“Yeah, a little,” Apple Bloom replies.

“Think you’ll be okay to get your things from your room? Or do you want Mac to go in and check things out first.”

“Well...” Apple Bloom says hesitantly. “If it wouldn’t be too much trouble...” She says, looking up at her brother.

“Eenope!” Mac replies, and then quickly trots down the hall, and begins removing the chair under Apple Bloom’s door.

“Sorry I’m actin like such a scardy pony,” She says to Applejack.

“Ah shoot, ain’t nothin to be ashamed of. Why from what you tole me, I reckon any filly your age would be scared. But don’t you worry none, me an Mac’ll make sure nothin bad will happen to you.”

“You promise?” Apple Bloom asks seriously.

“I promise.” Applejack replies. “Cross my heart n’ hope to fly, stick a cupcake n’ my eye.” She says solemnly.

Moments later make emerges from Apple Bloom’s room.

“Any problems Mac?” AJ asks, “you see anything?”

Mac hesitates the barest of a fraction before he says “Eenope.” He quickly decided he had no intention of mentioning what he felt as he passed in front of Apple Bloom’s poster of Mustang Beiber. He could swear the eyes of it were following him around the room. And what was with that evil leer? Is that what young mares were into nowadays? Mach shook his head, to dislodge the unsettling image, which Applejack only interpreted as confirmation.

“See Apple Bloom. Mac says it’s safe. And when your brother says somethin, you can believe it’s true.” Applejack said, as she ruffled her sister’s mane.

“Thanks sis, thanks big brother.” She says as Mac trots back up, before she gives them both a big hug.

“Well, glad that’s settled. Now you’d better get your things and get down to breakfast. I reckon the last thing any of us want right now is leftover toast.” AJ says with a shudder, cause both her sister and Mac to hurry off.

After breakfast, Apple Bloom hurried off to join her friends for school, while Big Mac and Applejack took to the fields for their daily chores.

Granny finished up the morning dishes, then made the beds, saving Apple Bloom’s new room for last. Granny didn’t really think Apple Bloom had been hearing voices, nevertheless, she did keep an ear cocked then entire time she was in the room, just in case. Yet the chore proved uneventful, and Granny went downstairs to prepare to do the washing.

Wash day was usually only once a week, since most of her family didn’t usually wear much. Usually it consisted of towels, and bedding, with the occasional scarf or bow. Granny decided that with Winona gone, she would take this opportunity to wash the quilt that Applejack had made for her doghouse, to keep her warm in the wintertime.

Granny went out by the back door, and came around the side of the house and made it all of two steps before she froze in place. About twenty paces in front of her was the pin oak tree her daughter-in-law  had planted when she first moved to Sweet Apple Acres. It still stood tall and true, it’s branches reaching past Apple Bloom’s window. At the base of it, was her headstone, hoofmade, but still beautiful, and smoothly polished. But it was what was in front of it that had caused Granny to stop. The longer she stared at it, the more concerned she became.

For at the base of the headstone was a large hole. A hole of freshly dug soil. A hole more than large enough for, say, a pony, to crawl through. Even more disturbing was the single set of hoof prints that led away from the hole, only to disappear on the hard packed soil beneath Granny’s hooves. Granny stared at them for a moment, before coming to a decision.

She turned and trotted to the barn and returned with a garden rake. Carefully she erased the hoofprints, and then, turning the rake on the flat side, smoothed out a path leading out and away from the hole. Then she returned the rake to the barn, and went to find Mac and Applejack.  

“Tarnation,” Applejack said, as the three approached the hole. “Right out from under Momma’s grave, that’s a sad thing.”

“Yes, it really is. I reckon one of them big millerworms was up under the tree the whole time. That must have been what spooked Winona, and was making them limbs sway and scritch on Apple Bloom’s room. It musta come up through your mom’s grave ‘cause the ground was the softest around there.” Granny said knowingly.

Now a millerworm was a creature from the Everfree Forest. It was part worm and part millipede. And a fully grown one could be as broad as a pony, and as long as a barn. They usually dug their way along underground, and seldom broke the surface, but every now and then one would turn up at the farm, and would have to be caught and taken back to the forest.

“Do… do you reckon we outta dig mom up? Put everything back to rights an such.” Applejack said, with obvious trepidation. The thought of seeing her mother’s decaying remains causing her to go pale.

“Eenope.” Big Mac said, a similar expression on his face.

“No youngins.” Granny said, shaking her head. “There’s no tellin what we would find by now. And your mom has long been gone to a better place. Best we just fill this all back in all respectful like.”

“Yeah, I suppose you’re right Granny. Mom’s been through enough, no sense disrespecting her… remains, anymore than has already been done. I know she wouldn’t want us… wouldn’t want us to see her like that.” Applejack finishes, with obvious difficulty.

“It’s okay to bee upset sweetie. This is hard for all of us to see.” Granny pauses for a second, before making up her mind. “Tell you what, since I won’t be much use with a shovel, how about I go and pick some of your mom’s favorite flowers, and make a nice wreath to lay, once you two get finished.”

“Well, I reckon mom would really like that.” Applejack says with a small smile.

“Eeyup,” Big Mac agrees.

“But Granny, those flowers only grow in the Everfree Forest. You sure you don’t want one of us to come along with you?” AJ asks, with concern.

“Fiddlesticks!” Granny declares, her orneriness resurfacing. “I’ve been running around in that forest since I was a filly. I know every plant, critter, and sand trap. I reckon I can handle going and picking a bunch of flowers on my own Applejack.” She says sharply.

“All right, all right. No need to get your bun in a cinch, I was just askin.” AJ says placatingly to the retreating form of her Granny.

Granny pauses by the barn and picks up one of the many empty baskets used for the harvest, and makes her way toward the entrance to the Everfree Forest.

“Sorry for bein so snippy youngin,” Granny says softly to herself. “But I didn’t want you comin along an askin questions on why I was heading to Zecora’s hut, instead of picking flowers first.”

Granny picks up her pace once she is out of sight from the farm. She needs to hurry if she is to have time to both gather her wreath, and see Zecora. As her protesting joints began to relax into a trot she considers what she saw, and what it could potentially mean.

“I could be wrong,” she mutters, “but I can’t take the chance that I’m right. I can’t go to Twilight bout this. Then the whole town would have to know. No, Zecora is the only one I can trust. I’m sure she still hates my guts, but she knows more about this kind of thing than anypony. She’ll know what to do. Even after everything that’s happened, she still won’t turn away family.

And if I’m really lucky the youngin’s will never have to know… will never have to know what really happened to their mother...”